A glowing tribute Vaishali Kasaravalli

The year 2010 seems to be very bad on the part of Kannada film industry because it has lost several veteran actors, producers, directors and singers. In the last ten months, Sandalwood has lost producer Chandulal Jain, actor Vishnuvardhan, theatre artiste Chindodi Leela, character artiste KS Ashwath, Singer C Ashwath, Veteran comedian Rathnakar, producer Jagannath and filmmaker MV Krishnaswamy. Now, the death of one more actress is added to this list.

Vaishali Kasaravalli was born on 12th April 1952 in Gulbarga, Karnataka. Since her childhood days, she was very much interested in dance and drama and her love for stage paved way to her acting career. After completing her studies, she started her career as a theatre artiste in 'Gubbi Drama Company'. Her acting skills impressed several directors and producers. And she started getting offers to act in films.

The theatre artiste was first recognized by veteran comedian Narasimha Raju for heroine in Professor Huchchuraya but director MR Vittal opted for Manjula as the heroine. Later, she debuted in Kannada films with Narasimha Raju in the film Yava Janmada Maitri in 1972. She fell in love with director Girish Kasaravalli and got married to him in 1978. After marriage, she stayed away from films for five years.

Later, she got opportunities to star alongside popular Kannada actors like late Dr. Rajkumar, late Dr. Vishnuvardhan, Dwarakish and many others. Songs like 'Ahaha Magiya Chaliyalli Yee Bisi Eko…' with Dr Vishnuvardhana in 'Hombisilu' and 'Mathonda Heluve Naa Hattira Hattira Baa…' with Dwarakish in Kittu Puttu are her popular songs, which will keep her ever green in the minds of Kannada audience.

Vaishali starred in nearly 100 films. She played all kinds of roles like heroine, lover, sister, daughter, mother and mother-in-law and she proved that she fitted in all these roles. Some of her well-known movies are Yarigu Helbedi, Kittu Puttu, Eradu Kansu, Angaialli Apsare, Hombisilu, Thabarana Kathe, Anukolakkoba Ganda, Asegoba Meesegobba, Shanker Guru, Sparsha, Ganeshana Madhuve and Gowri Ganesha. Sudeep starrer movie No 73 Shanthinivasa was last movie.

The Kannada actress starred in television serials like 'Kshamaya Dharitri', 'Navellaru Ondhe'. Later, she tried her hands at direction too. She directed TV serials like 'Muthina Thorana', 'Moodala Mane' and 'Mauna Raga', which made her a household name in Karnataka. Especially, she will be well remembered for the serial 'Moodala Mane', which was aired on Kannada TV channel E.

Vaishali was a multi-facet personality. She was associated with costume designing too. As a designer, she worked with her husband Girish Kasaravalli in several of his films. She was interested in Kannada literature and translated several Hindi and Marathi plays to Kannada. Her passion for politics had made her contest for Bangalore City Corporation in 1996 from 'Loka Shakthi", but she lost in the election.

Vaishali had bagged several awards for her acting. To name a few, she won the National Award for Best Costume Designing for the film Thai Saheba in 1998. She bagged the Best Actress for the film Akramana and the Best Supporting Actress for Palitamsha from the Karanataka State Government. She also won the Karnataka Rajyothsava award and the Nataka Academy award for her contribution to her theatre.

There is a woman behind every successful man. It is true in her case. The TV soap director had knowledge and experience in almost all channels of film industry and she supported her filmmaker husband Girish Kasaravalli in all possible and this helped him in winning several National Awards.

Vaishali Kasaravalli had been ailing from diabetic for the past five years. Due to this, she suffered liver damage and kidney failure. Recently, she was admitted to the Manipal Hospital Jayanagar in Bangalore. The 59-year-old actress breathed her last while she was undergoing dialysis for renal malfunctioning at the hospital.

Vaishali desperately wanted to direct a Kannada movie. She had even planned to adopt well-known writer SL Bhairappa's novel 'Nirakarana' to the big screen. But her dream remained unfulfilled due to her sudden demise. Now her death has created a void in Kannada film industry.

Vaishali Kasaravalli might not be with us physically, but her works and her way of life will continue to inspire us. Oneindia pays a glowing tribute to her departed soul. May her soul rest in peace.